I highly doubt that it takes Jones that long to make an impact. He'll have some issues but I can see him playing next year and holding his own. He's more physically ready than either Drouin or MacKinnon who might need to go back to juniors to bulk up.

If we get Jones, slot him on the third pair and ease him into the role. I think he will do just fine. As long as we don't throw him to the wolves (Aka Hedman) Than he should be fine IMO.

Would he be allowed to play in the AHL? If he can, it would be better if he played on the first pairing on the Crunch than the third pairing with the Lightning.

He can't until he's 20, because he plays in the CHL.

Of course, I may be wrong about where he is in his development and he may very well have a rookie season like Doughty. But even Pietrangelo needed a couple of seasons to develop into the beast he is today. Defensemen are incredibly unpredictable.

Would he be allowed to play in the AHL? If he can, it would be better if he played on the first pairing on the Crunch than the third pairing with the Lightning.

The biggest issue I have with him on the Lightning next year is this. I don't think hes ready for top pairing minutes, nor top 4 immediately. Do we throw Barberio, Gudas or Korobov in over their heads to properly progress another young guy? Doesn't seem like a smart philosophy. Though All three guys may be NHL ready now and or on the cusp. Throwing them top four minutes is an entirely different beast all together.

The biggest issue I have with him on the Lightning next year is this. I don't think hes ready for top pairing minutes, nor top 4 immediately. Do we throw Barberio, Gudas or Korobov in over their heads to properly progress another young guy? Doesn't seem like a smart philosophy. Though All three guys may be NHL ready now and or on the cusp. Throwing them top four minutes is an entirely different beast all together.

He would instantly be our 3rd best defender behind Hedman and Salo. I think that says more about our lack of talent then his ability. He can't play in the A and I don't think another year in the dub is gonna make that much of an impact.
With his dad being a professional for awhile I think he will have less trouble dealing with the outside things most rookies aren't used too.

He would instantly be our 3rd best defender behind Hedman and Salo. I think that says more about our lack of talent then his ability. He can't play in the A and I don't think another year in the dub is gonna make that much of an impact.
With his dad being a professional for awhile I think he will have less trouble dealing with the outside things most rookies aren't used too.

Now hang on a second, are you really saying he'd be better than Brewer and Lee? In all seriousness though, why don't they allow players to play in the AHL as soon as they are drafted? A player like Jones would serve better in the first pairing in the AHL than a low minute guy in the NHL, and another year in juniors is unnecessary. It seems for top level prospects, they're either forced to be rushed or to stay behind.

Now hang on a second, are you really saying he'd be better than Brewer and Lee? In all seriousness though, why don't they allow players to play in the AHL as soon as they are drafted? A player like Jones would serve better in the first pairing in the AHL than a low minute guy in the NHL, and another year in juniors is unnecessary. It seems for top level prospects, they're either forced to be rushed or to stay behind.

No exemption rule for the NHL-CHL agreement. Its either CHL or NHL for the kids drafted out of the CHL. Would love to see 1 exemption allowed per team, but until that time comes it is what it is.

Now hang on a second, are you really saying he'd be better than Brewer and Lee? In all seriousness though, why don't they allow players to play in the AHL as soon as they are drafted? A player like Jones would serve better in the first pairing in the AHL than a low minute guy in the NHL, and another year in juniors is unnecessary. It seems for top level prospects, they're either forced to be rushed or to stay behind.

Its the stupid agreement they have together, so they can keep top talent and the CHL looks like a legit league. A player like Barkov could play in the A as an 18 year old though. I do like the exemption idea for each team, maybe make it to where the player has to be 19 and its the 2nd year after being drafted. It'll cut down on the overagers and a player like Scheiffle from Winnipeg has no business up there.

Drouin is on a torrid pace and I'd be absolutely thrilled to grab a prospect with elite offensive talent like himself. However, it goes to show that some players with lower PPG have styles that are more transferable to the NHL.

Didn't the rest of those guys play in the OHL while Drouin plays in the Q? Just saying, that may make a difference.

This, the Q is not known for defense and goaltending.
Im not trying to say what he's doing isn't impressive. We have Kucherov in the Q who's also almost at a 2 PPG average. I just don't think offense is our greatest need now or in the future.

This, the Q is not known for defense and goaltending.
Im not trying to say what he's doing isn't impressive. We have Kucherov in the Q who's also almost at a 2 PPG average. I just don't think offense is our greatest need now or in the future.

You can say that now, but as soon as Marty retires, Vinny's decline inevitably starts and several prospects' games don't translate at the NHL level, we're back to square one. Elite level forwards are hard to come by outside of the first round in the draft.

No one knows for sure how any prospect will pan out and we'll likely not be drafting as high as this poll suggests. Thus, the whole hypothetical debate on who we should pick out of the top three is incredibly stupid since we all have our favourites and nothing either party says will convince the other party otherwise.

The Q is a bit higher scoring, the last numbers I saw were 6.5 average goals/game compared to 6.25 for the O, it's not a large difference. Kucherov is 19, Drouin is 17, and Kucherov can't keep up with him. Offense isn't our biggest need, but when drafting, BPA comes before org. needs.

You can say that now, but as soon as Marty retires, Vinny's decline inevitably starts and several prospects' games don't translate at the NHL level, we're back to square one. Elite level forwards are hard to come by outside of the first round in the draft.

No one knows for sure how any prospect will pan out and we'll likely not be drafting as high as this poll suggests. Thus, the whole hypothetical debate on who we should pick out of the top three is incredibly stupid since we all have our favourites and nothing either party says will convince the other party otherwise.

Yeah, but we have Connolly and Kucherov for potential replacements for Marty on the right wing. J.T Brown is a possibility as well.

So they're busts and were doomed? Marty is great but its not gonna be the end of the world when he leaves.

When did I say that? Why is it that everyone loves to draw their own conclusions and put words into others' mouths?

I just said we don't know how prospects will pan out and if their games will translate to the NHL level...then another poster comes in and tries to tell me that Connolly and two even less known, less proven commodities in Kucherov or Brown could fill the gap left by Marty. That was what I was responding to.

When did I say that? Why is it that everyone loves to draw their own conclusions and put words into others' mouths?

I just said we don't know how prospects will pan out and if their games will translate to the NHL level...then another poster comes in and tries to tell me that Connolly and two even less known, less proven commodities in Kucherov or Brown could fill the gap left by Marty. That was what I was responding to.

You mean like you did? I never said that those players would fill the gap left by Marty. I said they are -potential- replacements for Marty once he retires. When Marty will retire, someone will have to replace him. At this stage, the organization should at least have players in development who have the potential to develop into his replacement, and at the moment those players are Connolly and Kucherov and possibly Brown.

When did I say that? Why is it that everyone loves to draw their own conclusions and put words into others' mouths?

I just said we don't know how prospects will pan out and if their games will translate to the NHL level...then another poster comes in and tries to tell me that Connolly and two even less known, less proven commodities in Kucherov or Brown could fill the gap left by Marty. That was what I was responding to.

I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, but I took it like you thought that about them.
Why can't Connolly be the guy? He was drafted high with expectations to be a top line player. He's shown his scoring touch in the A just hope he brings it up with him next year.
Kucherov has the vision, hands, ane playmaking to be comparable to Marty but yes its unknown if he can translate well to the NHL.
Brown I don't see being a replacement but more of a 2/3rd line energy guy.
I just think some people are a little more optimistic about our prospects than you.

You mean like you did? I never said that those players would fill the gap left by Marty. I said they are -potential- replacements for Marty once he retires. When Marty will retire, someone will have to replace him. At this stage, the organization should at least have players in development who have the potential to develop into his replacement, and at the moment those players are Connolly and Kucherov and possibly Brown.

You just did it AGAIN. I said you suggested those prospects COULD fill the gap left by Marty, not WILL.

Those players you listed all have different skill sets to Marty. Not saying they have to be direct replacements, but I don't feel any will replace the elite level of skill that Marty's departure will leave us with (Connolly could be elite if he pans out).

I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, but I took it like you thought that about them.
Why can't Connolly be the guy? He was drafted high with expectations to be a top line player. He's shown his scoring touch in the A just hope he brings it up with him next year.
Kucherov has the vision, hands, ane playmaking to be comparable to Marty but yes its unknown if he can translate well to the NHL.
Brown I don't see being a replacement but more of a 2/3rd line energy guy.
I just think some people are a little more optimistic about our prospects than you.

I'm a realist and temper my expectations. Also, I know a lot of prospects don't pan out at the NHL level.

To me, Connolly lacks something, perhaps it's hockey sense? He's got all the tools: size, shot, speed, good hands but there was just something missing during his rookie year (granted it was his rookie year). He looked underwhelming at the World Jrs, where it was expected that he would dominate. I hope he comes through because the year before his draft year, he was stellar for Prince George, before the hip injuries slowed down his development and overall game.

With Kucherov, I'd like to see him add more strength to his frame, in addition to more focus on the defensive nuances of the game. Also, it'd be nice to see how he does against stronger players in the AHL, before having an accurate assessment of whether or not his game will translate at the NHL level.